CPC allows NIS Petrol to acquire eight filling stations in Bulgaria The Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC) has allowed a concentration between enterprises by permitting NIS Petrol Ltd Sofia to acquire control over eight filling stations. The stations are located in Plovdiv, Burgas, Lovech and Asenovgrad. CPC ordered an immediate implementation of the decision. NIS Petrol is controlled by Naftna Industrija Srbije JSC, operating mainly in Serbia. The company explores for, extracts and refines crude oil and trades in petrol products and natural gas on the wholesale and retail market. A market research of the retail trade in automotive fuels, conditions of competition, barriers to entry, market position of the participants before and after the concentration, etc. has shown that the deal will have horizontal effects that will not lead to the emergence of a participant with a significant market presence, let alone – with a dominant market position, commented CPC. The fuel market in Bulgaria is relatively competitive, with a moderate level of concentration and is characterised by a large number of participants - about 3,200 traders, including chains of filling stations with a noticeable market presence and a huge number of independent retailers with small market shares. According to CPC, the deal will not impede the competition on the respective market segment and should be unconditionally allowed.
Source: Class (08.01.2013)

Bulgaria's competition watchdog said it gave the green light to local fuel retailer NIS Petrol to acquire eight filling stations in the country. The filling stations are located in the cities of Asenovgrad, Lovech, Burgas and Plovdiv, the Commission for the Protection of Competition (CPC) said on its website on Friday. NIS Petrol, 100%-owned by Serbia's Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS), entered the local fuel retailing market in December 2011 when the CPC cleared it to acquire seven filling stations. In 2012, NIS received permission to purchase another 20 stations. NIS, majority-owned by Gazprom Neft, said in 2011 it planned to become an important player on the regional fuel retailing market by the end of 2013.
Source: mediapool.bg (08.01.2013)

The first GAZPROM filling station opened in Bulgaria Gazprom Neft’s subsidiary – Serbian NIS j.s.c Novi Sad (opens in new window) has opened its first GAZPROM branded filling station in Bulgaria. The filling station is located on international road E79 Sofia – Kulata, 4 km after the exit of Blagoevgrad towards Kulata. The Bulgarian market has been identified as a priority market to develop the retail network under GAZPROM brand in the region. NIS is currently completing the construction of 9 more filling stations, with an additional 10 stations also planned to further develop GAZPROM branded retail network. By the end of the year there will be a total of over 40 stations in Bulgaria. NIS now operates GAZPROM branded filling stations in three countries in Balkan region following the opening of gas stations in Serbia and Romania at the end of 2012. The GAZPROM branded network will have over 250 filling stations operating in the Balkan region by the end of 2015, with 80 of these in Bulgaria. NIS will manage the retail network. The GAZPROM branded premium filling stations offer clients the latest euro standard fuels – diesel, gasoline, LPG and lubricants. Filling stations will include a shop, a restaurant and a cafe. Customers will also be able to use other services such as free wireless internet. Stations are located along national and international roads and in the major cities. "Launching a retail network under the GAZPROM brand in Bulgaria is the next step towards achieving our strategic objective to develop a sales network in Europe. We plan to continue to expand our presence in Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria. I am confident that GAZPROM branded network of filling stations will quickly gain popularity in the Balkans", - stated deputy CEO of "Gazprom Neft" for logistics, processing and sales, Anatoly Cherner.
Source: citybuild.bg (03.07.2013)

Gazprom Builds 80 Filling Stations in Bulgaria The end of 2015 will be a turning point in the development of Gazprom’s business in Bulgaria. Apart from the fact that then the first deliveries of Russian gas will flow into Bulgaria via the south Stream pipe the Russian energy giant will also build and set in operation 80 filling stations across the country. Threse are the plans of the Gazprom Neft that has a daughter company NIS in neighboring Serbia. The company has already opened the first Gazprom-branded filling station in Bulgaria at the E-79 international road. Currently nine more stations with the logo of Gazprom are under construction. The company plans opening of another 40 gas stations and outlets along the international highways in Bulgaria.
Source: Standart (03.07.2013)

Importer of LPG (Liquefied petroleum gas) Gastrade will renew construction of its port terminal for LPG in Beloslavsko Lake, Varna. The first dig has already been made; the project has to be finished by the end of the year. This is to be the sole lawful LPG port in Bulgaria. Work on the project started five years ago. Last year, though the company struck a deal with Bulgarian subsidiary of Gasprom neft-Nis petrol and it sold part of its fuel base in Kostinbrod. Russian giant needed a warehouse in order to expand its launch on the market of gas and diesel in Bulgaria. The base is separated in two parts as Gastrade decided to sell the liquid fuels’ part and to keep that for propane butane for itself. Gastrade is one of the biggest importers of LPG. In different year its share on the market varied between 18 and 25% with a 5% drop in last year. Up to now the company has invested EUR 15 million in the terminal
Source: Capital (16.09.2013)